On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, FEI competitors entered the Grand Prix Stadium with hopes of winning the biggest class of the HITS Saugerties season, the $400,500 FEI CSI5* Grand Prix. The riders took to a course designed by Germany’s Werner Deeg that proved to be challenging, with only three able to jump a clear first round, but Deeg was pleased with the outcome. In his words, Deeg’s goal was to “produce good sport” with a course laid out on “the best footing in the world” that required rhythm throughout. There was no particular spot that caused trouble, but with a time allowed of 93 seconds, the course tested strength and stamina of horse and rider alike.

Securing what is by far the biggest win in her career to date was Megan McDermott aboard Entano. The duo was the first to return for the jump-off, which required choosing the right strategy knowing that there was tough competition to come. McDermott’s chosen approach was to hold back her “amazing” horse just enough to go clean and force her competitors to do the same. McDermott and Entano pulled it off, posting a fault-free time of 48.69.

David Blake and Keoki were next to take their shot, but with 12 faults and a time of 50.61, they couldn’t overcome what McDermott had accomplished.

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